ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Tennessee

9 Colleges in the United States
$24,881 Avg Student Debt
$50,256 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sports Management Badge [Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 11
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 31.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Sport Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA - Sport Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sports Analytics & Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Sports Analytics & Management (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Sports Management & Analyics (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Sports Management & Analyics (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sports Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Sports Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Sport Management" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Sport Management" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Sport Management" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Business Administration - Sport Management" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Business Administration - Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Esports Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Esports Business (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 10
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 6 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 6
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 4 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Sports Management Schools

1

For return on investment in sports management, no school beat Middle Tennessee State University this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,500. Sports Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $36,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

2

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,500. Sports Management graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Trevecca Nazarene University, which ranked #3. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

4

A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $35,175 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Wesleyan College earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,814 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for sports management value this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,036. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,043. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.

7

Martin Methodist College landed the #7 spot for sports management value this year. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. Students from in state pay about $10,924 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,125. Early-career sports management graduates make about $28,069. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

Cumberland University placed #8 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,902. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

9

Bryan College Dayton earned the #9 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,077. Early-career sports management graduates make about $27,342. That is a strong return on a $26,077 median debt.

10
Carson Newman College crest
Carson Newman College
Jefferson City, TN

Carson Newman College landed the #10 spot for sports management value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,625. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $25,972. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Freed Hardeman University earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Set against $24,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

12
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Milligan College landed the #12 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,601 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Set against $23,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,750. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,135. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

14

Bethel University Tennessee landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $29,677. Sports Management graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $31,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,677 median debt. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.

15
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN

King College earned the #15 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,579. Sports Management graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,579 median debt. King College admits about 100% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Tusculum College crest
Tusculum College
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. In-state tuition and fees average $29,250. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $22,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

Southern Adventist University landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Set against $25,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.

18
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $48,949. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

19
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University earned the #19 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,605 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. Union University admits about 60% of applicants.

20
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University landed the #20 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $20,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $37,139. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #173
View All Sports Management Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options